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It's All in the Shoes

10 Mar 09 9:34AM

On Sunday afternoon at the British Film Institute on London’s Southbank, Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple held court. The clue to understanding this most unlikely event lies in the location – David Suchet and Julia McKenzie, the new Miss Marple, were in conversation with Mathew Billington from The Guardian. In a small theatre filled with Christie fans, we’d just watched a glorious Christie double bill on the big screen – two brand new films: the very exotic Appointment with Death followed by the faithfully adapted A Pocket Full of Rye. Poirot’s moustache and Miss Marple’s hat had never looked so fine. I won’t discuss the contents of the films and thus spoil your anticipation but I thought I would share my account on the evening’s discussion.

David entertained us all with anecdotes from his 20 year reign as Poirot – the time heatstroke hit (the Moroccan sun and his “fat suit” proving a deadly combination) – the honour of Poirot’s head being chosen for a Belgian coin: “and then they went Euro!”) – how he came to recreate for the screen Poirot’s walk, his “rapid mincing gate”, and the laborious but enjoyable preparation required for reassuming the role (20 hours spent watching previous performances to get every detail just right). David also told us that once the moustache goes on, the transformation is complete and David speaks as Poirot – no matter whether on set or off – to his agent, his wife or the director!

Julia was very amusing and self depreciating and claimed to be still finding her feet but everyone agreed she made a most wonderful Miss Marple. While David found The ABC Murders to be Christie’s most ingenious plot, Julia quite rightly didn’t know yet! And, she explained, when it was announced that, the by now very Hollywood, Joan Collins would be playing a role in The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side – Julia declared: “She’s not having my Winnebago!”

If you’ve seen any pictures of Julia as Miss Marple, you’ll know that she wears very sturdy brogues and for Julia these were the equivalent to David’s moustache. Because so much filming is on location, Wellington boots are required until the final step onto set – so once the brogues are on, Julia is Miss Marple.

Both declared their hope that they could make many more films to come - for David there are ten more Poirot films to make to complete the canon. I, for one, can’t wait to see them!

The conversation between David and Julia (and the questions from the audience) will shortly be available to download from the BFI’s website. We’ll let you know when it’s available.

9 comments

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9 comments

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kevinanchi 29 Jan 11 at 4:55p.m.

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oreysparky 27 Jan 11 at 1:10p.m.

I am inspired by your work and obviously this blog is perfect.landing page design ,will be wonderful to read and to understand better these kind of adaptation process, please let me know something

anthony_cade 10 Aug 09 at 9:35p.m.

Hey lisa 123 - Hope we get to like the new Miss Marple. It would be a real shame if she's a let down. Just wanted to say that Miss Marple does have a maid in the books- not because of being rich, because she's not, but because she is "genteel". Through her occasional comments in the novels, we learn that she gives untrained young girls (often from the orphanage) a position as maid and trains them. They are invariably described as "adenoidal" and "slightly stupid" (unfotunately the class snobbery of Christie's era coming out!). Then, Miss Marple says that whenever they're trained up well enough, they move on to a better position with more pay, and she has to start again with a new girl. I'm sure she's never rude in the books, though she is quite "school ma'am" ish with them. Hope that helps! And hope you like the new Miss Marple in the end!

lisa123jones 08 Jul 09 at 2:57p.m.

I just saw Julia McKenzie as Miss Marple. I am very disappointed. Of course it always takes some getting used to when new actors play established characters. I was prepared for that. However Miss marple never had a maid before. One was given the impression that she had simple means. Also, this Miss Marple struck me as condescending and arrogant at times. Gladys may have been simple, but Miss Marple made several negative comments and I felt she seemed a bit catty. The detectives don't normally just allow Miss Marple to lend a hand, particularly with no credibility-- someone to vouch for her or having heard of her assistance in past cases. Poirot may be arrogant, but he is never rude on screen (or in the books that I've read). I do hope that the producers aren't going to make Miss Marple into a well-to-do, slightly snobby lady, for several reasons. Part of her charm is being non-judgemental and it is often why she is over looked, which aids her greatly in her research. Arrogant and snobby sound closer to the way that Agatha Christie described Poirot than the Miss Marple I'm familiar with.

burr 01 May 09 at 10:20a.m.

Is the BFI download of the conversation now available?

TheDuchess 03 Apr 09 at 3:05a.m.

I grew up on Agatha Christie as a child in England...and now as a parent living in America, I can say that my daughter is growing up with her elegance and true style just as I did! Bravo!!

littlegrey76 24 Mar 09 at 10:03a.m.

I would like to know if the new series have began the shooting, when we will be able to know some information about the Orient express cast and the new titles?

and i would like to suggest some kind of article about the deep changes on the appointment with death episode, some information about the reason behind some changes will be wonderful to read and to understand better these kind of adaptation process, please let me know something

mystery51A 17 Mar 09 at 9:37p.m.

i've enjoyed agatha christie for many years

shannon 10 Mar 09 at 11:56a.m.

I too attended this evening and thoroughly enjoyed my first glimpse of Juli McKenzie as Marple. I enjoyed her portrayal immensely and look forward to seeing further episodes. Appointment with Death was stunning on the big scene I was able to fully appreciate the stunning scenery and setting. The added bonus of hearing both these amazing actors talking about their roles rounded off an excellent evening.